Scoil Ide
Salthill, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 244 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 205 girls, 39 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18634R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Íde is a vibrant primary school situated in a quiet cul‑de‑sac in Salthill, Galway, where the nearby seashore, aquarium, Salthill Park, woodland areas and a local shop create an expansive outdoor classroom. The school places equal emphasis on emotional, social and academic development, fostering a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that encourages strong community ties among management, parents and staff. Parents are actively involved in a wide range of activities, from reading and knitting circles to running the library, organising computer‑skills sessions, chess clubs, arts and crafts, and sporting events, reinforcing the school’s collaborative ethos. The curriculum is enriched by a strong focus on the arts, with recognised excellence in drama, music and visual art, alongside a commitment to justice and peace education through projects and fund‑raising that raise awareness of local and global poverty. Scoil Íde benefits from its proximity to Galway City, enabling regular visits to museums, libraries, theatres and university programmes such as the Junior Entrepreneur and Cell Explorers initiatives. The school’s dedication to sustainability and digital learning is reflected in awards including the Digital School of Distinction, the Active School Flag, seven Green Flags and the Science Foundation of Ireland Discover Primary Science and Maths Plaque (awarded annually since 2015).
History
Scoil Íde was founded in response to rapid population growth in Salthill when Bishop Browne invited the Sisters of Jesus Mary to open a National School. The school opened on 1 May 1952 in Dalysfort House Hotel, overlooking Galway Bay, with twenty‑one pupils and three teachers. As enrolment increased, a new purpose‑built school was constructed on the original site after the hotel was demolished; the new building was blessed in 1962 by Bishop Browne and officially opened by Minister for Education Dr Patrick Hillary. That same year a secondary top was added, later relocating to Salerno, Revagh Road in 1965. The school’s mission has always been to provide a Christian education that develops each child’s personality, is attentive to the individual, open to the world and grounded in the Gospel.
Applying to Scoil Ide
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Ide. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Scoil Ide
How many pupils attend Scoil Ide?
Scoil Ide has 244 pupils enrolled, 205 girls and 39 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Ide a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Ide is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Scoil Ide?
Scoil Ide has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.